Manchester United striker Robin van Persie happy to compete for place with Radamel Falcao

COMPETITION: Van Persie will be competing with Radamel Falcao and Wayne Rooney for his spot in the first eleven [GETTY]

Colombian striker Falcao has joined United on a season-long loan deal from Monaco that is costing the fallen giants a staggering £24m.

United have paid a £6m loan fee while Falcao is commanding wages of £18m-a-season.

It means the pressure will be on Falcao to perform and score the goals Louis van Gaal's men need to get back to the top of the game.

But fellow striker Van Persie has told Falcao he will need to earn his place in the team first.

Van Persie expects to be in a straight fight with Falcao and Wayne Rooney for the most advanced attacking roles and is relishing the battle ahead.

“We must duke with Wayne Rooney to see who is playing”

Robin van Persie

He said: "I welcome his arrival, he makes us better. At a top club you should always go for the best, which also fits my philosophy.

"But Falcao must fight for his place, as I also have to. We must duke with Wayne Rooney to see who is playing."

Van Persie, meanwhile, has rubbished reports he needs a knee operation and insists he is fighting fit.

The Holland superstar missed two months of club action at the end of last season due to a knee injury before going on to have an impressive World Cup under former national team boss Van Gaal.

Sceptics have suggested United broke the bank to land Falcao because of concerns over Van Persie's long-term fitness, but the former Arsenal star added: "I am impressed that people can pick up the imagination to invent something like that.

"I do not know where it comes from and can say with my hand on my heart that I won't be in a hospital to have the operation."

Meanwhile Falcao's father has revealed European champions Real Madrid had the chance to sign his son but changed their mind because of the sky-high cost.

Radamel Garcia said: "Manchester United is the most important team in England and one of the most powerful financially. Now he (Falcao) must perform at his best to continue winning.

"Things did not work out with Real Madrid because, if you have money and you go to the market to buy a shirt or trousers, you must decide if you will buy them or not.

"Those at Real Madrid decided not to do it, and there was nothing else to do. It gives me the feeling that they wanted the player to give himself away with a set of conditions and things."